Oxfordshire

Oxford: A Melange of Magic, Myth and Martyrs

Sheldonian Theatre

Broad Street, Oxford
Tel: 01865 277299
E-mail: custodian@sheldon.ox.ac.uk
Web: www.sheldon.ox.ac.uk

The Sheldonian is the first major work by Sir Christopher Wren, designed when he was Professor of Astronomy at Oxford. Built between 1664 and 1669 in the shape of a Roman theatre, the Sheldonian is used as Oxford University's ceremonial hall and for concerts and public lectures. The theatre's 17th-century painted ceiling is of particular interest. There are excellent views of the spires of Oxford from the cupola.

Hands-On

Science Oxford, 1-5 London Place, Oxford, OX4 1BD
Tel: 01865 728953
E-mail: events@oxtrust.org.uk
Web: www.oxtrust.org.uk/handson

Prices: Adults £5.00, Concessions and Children £3.50, Family Ticket £15.00 (4
people, including at least one adult).
Opening hours: Every Saturday, 10:00 - 4:00. During local school holidays Hands-On is open Monday to Saturday (please call to confirm opening hours on Bank Holidays).

During term-time Hands-On is available for school bookings and on Sundays and after school the gallery can be booked for science birthday parties. Hands-On is a new science gallery packed with loads of exciting interactive experiments. In addition, Hands-On has a changing menu of themed activities. Science Oxford is adjacent to St Clements Street, at the foot of Headington Hill. Take the Park & Ride bus number 400 towards Thornhill from the train station or local buses from the city centre. There is a public car park nearby just off The Plain roundabout. Recommended age 5-12 years.

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LEGOLAND® Windsor Park Ltd

Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 4AY
Tel: 08705 040404
E-mail: CustomerServices@Legoland.co.uk
Web: www.legoland.co.uk

Please be aware that the park is closed between December and February. Details on opening times and attractions can be found via the links above. 

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WALKING TOURS OF OXFORD

Tel/Fax: 01865 865707    Mobile: 07791 062574
E-mail: bill@oxfordguides.co.uk
Web: www.oxfordguides.co.uk

Bill Leonard, a Blue Badge Guide hosts a variety of walks in and around Oxford and the surrounding area.

Tourist Tracks Tel: 01223 305847 E-mail: info@tourist-tracks.com Website: www.tourist-tracks.com

With Tourist Tracks you can download an MP3 file or buy a CD containing an audio walking tour of Oxford with a map to help you find your way around.

Tourist Tracks MP3 walking tours let you take in the sights at your own pace, in your own time. Forget shuffling around with a large group or wrestling with a guide-book - just load up your MP3 player or portable CD player, plug in your headphones and let us do the rest.

Remember, with Tourist Tracks, there's no guide to keep up with. You only need skip to the next audio point when you're ready to move on!

DEFRA – Rural Affairs

Tel: 08459 335577
E-mail: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Web: http://countrywalks.defra.gov.uk

More than 1800 walks etc in the United Kingdom. Simply select your destination and you will be rewarded with mini guides and map references to help you explore the countryside at your leisure.

Inspector Morse Tour

Oxford Tourist Information Centre
Tel: 01865 726871

Follow the footsteps of Oxford most famous detective.

The Oxfordshire Way

This 65 mile long route passes through scenic and gentle landscape on its way from Bourton-on-the-Water down to Henley-on-Thames. In doing so it passes through not one but two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the Cotswolds and the Chilterns. This is a delightful walk through some true English countryside.

Bodicote Circular Walk and Salt Way Nature Trail

3 miles/4.8 km

A gentle stroll in the countryside around Bodicote with plenty of local and natural history. Bodicote is 1 mile south of Banbury.

Banbury Fringe Walk

10 miles/16 km

Right around the urban fringe where town meets countryside. There are plenty of shortcuts if you do not want to walk the whole distance.

Piddington Circular Walk

4.5 miles/7 km

A walk along the border of Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Including a Woodland Trust wood and a steep hill, with panoramic views from the top. Piddington is 5 miles south east of Bicester.

Sibford's Circular Walk

2 miles/ 3.2 km

A historic trail through and between the twin villages of Sibford Ferris and Sibford Gower and the hamlet of Burdrop. The Sibford's are about 6 miles west of Banbury.

Cherwell Valley Walks

up to 14 miles/22.5km

A choice of rural rambles in the central section of the valley where the Oxford Canal runs side by side with the river Cherwell. The short routes from 3.5 to 7 miles can be combined to make a full day’s walk. The Cherwell Valley walks are located mid way between Banbury and Bicester. Take care - the valley is often flooded during the winter months and the routes may be impassable at some points - do not proceed if conditions are too wet.

Cropredy Circular Walk

4.5 miles/7 km

A stretch of the Oxford Canal and field paths with views up and down the northern Cherwell Valley. Much of the ground covered was the scene of the Civil War Battle of Cropredy Bridge in June 1644. Includes a short village trail around the centre of Cropredy. Cropredy is 5 miles north of Banbury.

Deddington Circular Walks

up to 12 miles/19.3km

Two walks 5.5 miles and 6.5 miles forming a figure of eight, with one loop to the east of the village and one to the west. Featuring rolling north Oxfordshire countryside with extensive views and including an old water mill. Deddington is 6 miles south of Banbury.

Shutford Circular Walk

4.5 miles/7 km

The route takes in ancient tracks and panoramic views to the south and west of Shutford village. Also included is an historic trail around the village itself, which was once renowned for the manufacture of plush; a velvet-like fabric. Shutford is 4 miles west of Banbury.

Shenington with Alkerton Historic Village Trail

1.5miles/2.4k

A historical stroll around and between these two delightful ironstone villages, each with a Norman church. Shenington and Alkerton are 4 miles west of Banbury.

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Warburg Nature Reserve

Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, Henley-On-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 6BL
Tel: 01491 642001.
E-mail: bbowt@cix.co.uk
Web: http://www.bbowt.org.uk

Warburg Nature Reserve at Bix Bottom near Henley is home to a spectacular range of wildlife, boasting more than 3,000 species and attracting around 10,000 nature-loving visitors each year. Thanks to support from local charitable trusts, the existing centre has been completely refurbished, with added interpretation boards, wheelchair access and improved facilities.

Well Place Zoo

Well Place, Ipsden, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 6QZ
Tel: 01491 680473    Fax: 01491 680092
E-mail: John@wellplacezoo.fsnet.co.uk
Web: www.wellplacezoo.fsnet.co.uk

The zoo is set in beautiful Oxfordshire countryside providing a large and varied collection of birds and animals with children's activity centre, farmland animals feeding area, museum and Coffee Shop.

Grandpont Park

Whitehouse Road, off Abingdon Road, Oxford
Tel: Parks Services on 0800 0521455 (daytime)
E-mail: parks@oxford.gov.uk

The 3 hectares of Grandpont were once the site of the former gas works which were demolished in 1960 the only visible remnant of which is the ornamental rail bridge which was used to carry coal from the main line across the Thames to the furnaces. The area was re-landscaped in 1985 by planting trees and sowing wildflower seed to create a patchwork of shrubberies and hay meadows. The park has matured into an attractive setting for a lunch break and a haven for wildlife - a stone's throw from the City centre. Look out for the Green Woodpeckers which like to forage for insects in the short turf created by the abundant Rabbits. In spring Cowslips flower along the edges of some of the paths and later in the summer look out for the tall pink spikes of Sainfoin near the main entrance. On the South side there is a football pitch, a basketball court and kick-about goals.